Homeland Security

The Corps is proud to play an important role in the nation's Homeland
Security efforts. To coordinate and facilitate these efforts, the Corps
established a Homeland Security Office in December 2002. This office
oversees the Corps Civil Emergency Management program and efforts to
improve protection of critical infrastructure facilities.

Through the Office of Homeland Security, the Corps serves as the
Department of Defense's (DoD) Infrastructure Assurance Office for Public
Works. In this capacity Corps personnel are responsible for ensuring
that all DoD installations have Infrastructure Assurance Plans in place.
In addition, the Homeland Security Office provides leadership, guidance,
and expertise related to border and transportation security, and chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear countermeasures.

The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP). The Corps was instrumental in founding this collaborative effort in early 2002 to bring together design and construction trade groups and federal agencies on a regular basis to address issues related to the security of the nation's infrastructure.

Risk Assessment Methodology for Dams (RAM-D). The Corps has been integrally involved in the creation and implementation of this unique assessment tool designed to help operators of dams, hydroelectric facilities, and power plants make their sites less attractive targets to terrorists. RAM-D helps operators identify who might attack a facility, what resources they might have available, and what steps might be taken to prevent an attack. Operators can use RAM-D to determine where to place sensors, cameras, or lights, or whether to invest in walls, barriers, higher fences, better doors, extra training, or improved policies. The Corps is working to improve the use of RAM-D, while also evaluating other tools and concepts to improve risk assessment efforts and reduce vulnerabilities.

Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). At ERDC some of the Corps top researchers are working to develop methods for reducing the effects of air and water contamination from terrorist attacks and to create new and better systems for protecting the nation's security.